Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Chambers of Commerce and Industry Council Meeting was held with the attendances of the President of TOBB M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Customs and Trade Minister Hayati Yazıcı, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, TOBB Chambers of Commerce and Industry Council President Osman Yıldırım and council members at the TOBB Union Center in Ankara.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they would assess the latest economic developments, the problems of the business world, their suggestions and expectations; that they would discuss the new check legislation and various legal procedures affecting business life.

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey’s economy has performed well recently and said, “Turkey has grown by 8.2% in the third quarter. Making Turkey the growth champion of the first 9 months with growth rate of 9.6%. The growth engines of the world, China and India have grown by 94.% and 7.4% respectively during the first 9 months. We achieved this with the dynamism of the Turkish private sector. Private consumption and investments contributed 11.5 to growth while public spending and investments contributed only a total of 1.2.”

Reporting that growth is ongoing in the fourth quarter, Hisarcıklıoğlu spoke: “Capacity usage has reached 77% as of the end of November. Rate of employment is at 8.8%, the lowest it has been in 10 years. In just the last year, we have found employment for 1.776 million people. We have started to reach our goal in exports. In the first 11 months of the year, our export volume has exceeded 122 billion Dollars, estimated to reach 135 billion Dollars by the end of the year.”

- There are those who weren’t able to grow

Drawing attention to the other side of the medallion from Turkey’s positive performance, the TOBB President stated that there are also those who weren’t able to grow. Chief among them, Greece, said Hisarcıklıoğlu, “The Greek economy has shrunk by 6% in the first 9 months of the year. The problem isn’t just Greece. We are faced with a problem which has spread to all of the European Union, turning into a political issue. There is a serious leadership problem in the European Union and if they aren’t able to solve the debt crisis they will keep going down. Then there are those leaders who are looking to save themselves like Sarkozy, confronting us with abominations for laws, striking against freedom of thought. We’ve told them these will not work. It is evident at this conjunction that EU countries will be recovering for a while yet. The possibility that they might enter a second recession is irrefutably present. This has the potential of affecting us negatively in two ways.”

- Warning for exports and finance fields

Stating that the first field affected by the situation in Europe will be exports stated Hisarcıklıoğlu and related how the EU countries are Turkey’s primary exportation market. Hisarcıklıoğlu said:
“In the eventuality that this market shrinks, our exports will be adversely affected. Before the crisis, 3 years ago, we exported goods a total of 68 billion Dollars’ worth per annum and have yet to catch up. Today we are exporting approximately 62 billion Dollars. The second field affected will be finances. The capacity of the European banks to provide loans is decreasing. Consider that European banks are the main source of credit for countries like us and we might have problems in funding next year.”
Stating that Turkey must finish preparations to cross this stormy sea, Hisarcıklıoğlu said that the reforms should be completed without succumbing to the lull. The TOBB President stated that in order to ensure this the process must start with the implementation of a new constitution followed by many structural reforms as expected by the public.

- “The determination of the government is gratifying”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that having observed the determination of the government to enact reforms is gratifying and said, “If we are able to enact these reforms, it will be possible to maintain growth rate and reach our 2023 goals.”

- Customs and Trade Minister Hayati Yazıcı

The Customs and Trade Minister Hayati Yazıcı stated in his speech, in regards to the bill being discussed at the French parliament, “There’s no substance to this, it falls apart everywhere you try to pick it up.” Yazıcı stated that Turkey has made great advances economically in the last 9 years.
Minister Yazıcı stated that the global crisis, when considered as a measure, is clear concrete indication that Turkey is becoming an economic power.

- “’Single Window System’ will be in operation at customs in 2012”

Minister Yazıcı stated that the Single Window System, where all procedures at the customs could be done from a single location, would be in operation in 2012.
Yazıcı stated minimizing wait time at customs and the facilitation of the trade community has progressed well to date.

- Minister of Justice Sadullah Ergin

Justice Minister Sadullah said, “For the first time since October more files are being resolved than those coming in to the High Court.”

Minister Ergin stated that the positive trend of the economy is dependent on a judiciary system engendering trust and emphasized the healthy working of the justice system for is essential for investments and the protection of the consumer and producer.

- TOBB Chambers of Commerce and Industry Council President Osman Yıldırım

TOBB Chambers of Commerce and Industry Council President Osman Yıldırım, touching on the alleged Armenian genocide bill in discussion at the French Parliament, called the French Parliament to act conscientiously. Stating that there must be more production in union to have a strong economy, Yıldırım said, “It is inconceivable that such cruelty could have happened in Anatolia where people like Aşık Veysel and Hacı Bektaş lived.”
Osman Yıldırım urged that obstacles to trade be abolished for more production.
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